On August 14, the Vietnam U16 national team, under the guidance of head coach Cristiano Roland, will depart for China to participate in the 2024 U16 Peace Cup, a friendly tournament scheduled to take place from August 16 to 20 in Shenyang, Liaoning Province.
In addition to the host nation, Vietnam U16 will face two other formidable opponents: U16 Japan and U16 Uzbekistan. This tournament is expected to provide valuable experience for the young Vietnamese squad as they prepare for the 2025 AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers.
Before heading to China, the Vietnam U16 team finalized their official 23-player roster for the tournament. Some players, including goalkeeper Nguyen Duc Manh, defenders Nguyen Van Phuc and Ho Sy Minh, midfielders Tran Thanh Tu and Tran Hong Kien, and forward Hoang Trong Duy Khang, have returned to their clubs.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, head coach Cristiano Roland emphasized the quality of the opponents, stating that the coaching staff is focused on helping the players improve through these challenging matches. “Matches against strong opponents are crucial for Vietnam U16. Facing teams at a higher level brings pressure that helps young players grow. This tournament is also an opportunity for me to assess the cohesion among the players and determine if they can deliver the solidity we expect,” Cristiano said.
The 2024 U16 Peace Cup will serve as an essential opportunity for the Vietnam U16 team to refine their lineup and tactics in preparation for the 2025 AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers, which will be held from October 23 to 27, 2024, at Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho.
Schedule for the 2024 U16 Peace Cup:
- August 16, 14:30: U16 China vs. U16 Vietnam
- August 18, 14:30: U16 Vietnam vs. U16 Uzbekistan
- August 20, 18:35: U16 Japan vs. U16 Vietnam
This tournament presents an excellent opportunity for the Vietnam U16 team to test their mettle against top-level competition and gain invaluable experience as they gear up for the crucial qualifiers ahead.
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